Signal-lamp



G. lACUBS AND F. C. RUPPEI..

SIGNAL LAMP.

APPUCATION HLED MAY 5l i919.

Patented Apu 20, 1920.

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SIGNAL LAMP. APPLICATION FILED MAY 5, 1.9m.

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Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

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Hula/0d UNITED sTATEs PATENT OEEIOE.

i GEORGE JACOBS AND FREDEBICK C. RUPPEL, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

SIGNAL-LAMP.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

Application filed Hay 5, 1919. Serial No. 294,660.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known thatwe, GEORGE JACOBS and i lFREDERICK C. RUPPEL, citizens of the United States, and residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Signal-Lamp, of which the following is a y specification.

The present invention has reference to a signal lamp for motor vehicles, its general object being to provide an inexpensive and satisfactory device whereby a signal is automatically given the driver of a following car as the speed of the leading vehicle changes, particularly when it slows down. -In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the operation of the device is dependent on the inertia or pendulumlprinciple, but

some of the features are useful in connection with signals of a different nature, for eX- ample, wherein the signalbircuit is completed on turning a steering wheel or upon actuating a separate switch.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a signal of the class set Y forth wherein the signal lamp is on the same general-circuit as the tail lamp, thereby reduclng the expense and simplifying the installation. Thus the signal lamp operates without interfering with the tail light and only upon change in speed of the vehicle, under which condition it preferably gives a flickering light, one flash for each swing of the pendulum. b

A further object is to provide a combined signal and tail lamp -on the same general circuit, together with a switch on or associated with the lamp, for cutting out the tail light without cutting out the signal light.

Another object is to provide a-highly desirable construction of the pendulum device whereby clearance is secured for the bulbs and bulb circuits, and whereby a broad rigid l' support for the moving parts is afforded. 4 5

lamp refiector and between the arms of the pendulum, thereby rendering the device as a whole much more compact.

'Anotherv primary object is to dispense with the use of a lens ring or the like lin supporting the lens and the reflector.

Additional objects and advantages will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the pendulum-supporting shaft. Fig. 3 is a plan view show ing the device attached to its support. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation, the support being omitted. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section corresponding to Fig. 1. Fig.

6 is an elevation of the switch which appears in Fig. 1.

In the construction shown, the sheet metal lamp body, in order to permit the metal. be-

ing readily drawn in the dies, is formed in halves 1 and 2 that may be welded together -along, the line 3, F ig. 2. The forward portion of the body forms a chamber for the bulb devices, said chamber, in this instance, being substantially the shape of two overlapping superposed cylinders or ovals 4-5, or somewhat resembling the figure 8; and the rear or pendulum receiving portion y6 corresponds approximately to a sector of a cylinder whose aXis Ais at right angles to those of the cylinders previously referred to. It will be observed, Fig. 3, that the 9o l elements 4 5 and 6 merge along shoulders 7, through which the lamp as a whole may` beA supported, as by means of the screws 8 and a suitable-bracket construction 9.

The cylindrical portions 4-5 are preferably provided with an out-turned flangev or seat 12 from which the metal is extended forwardly in the shape of a centering and supporting ring or margin 13, which throughout a considerable angle along the lower side of the portion 5 is curved upwardly and inwardly as indicated at 14, Figs. 1 and 4, whereby the lens 1/5 is properly supported when the resilient retaining latch device 16 (riveted or welded to the body at 17) is snapped down over its upper edge. In assembling the lens, it is only ,necessary to engage its lower edge inthe v `support 14 and thereafter swing it bodily inwardly until it passes the hook of the latch; likewise it is readily removable when the latch is elevated, as.will be obvious. That part of the flange 12e-13 which corresponds A combined spacer and pivot 22 on the reduced portions' of which the arms 20 sw1ng.

end The element 22 is itself carried Yon the crossbolt 24, and is spaced from the sides of the body by the washers 26 that may be spot welded to the inner face of the corresponding side of the body.

lum may be lifted out through the lens opening, as will be better understood later.

At a point a short distance below the pivot a contact rod 28 extends across between the arms 20, being insulated therefrom by the blocks 29; and this rod carries a suitable binding post or device 30 from which a conductor wire 31 preferably leads upwardly over the joining wall o'f the body and out through an opening 32. Thus the movement of the pendulum is substantially uninfluenced by the conductor, and the latter is held out of the way.

The reflector 19 has a suitable metallic ilamp socket 35 and a clip or bracket 38,y

welded or blazed thereto, these elements together forming a support for a fixture,t which, in this instance, includes the downwardly extending trough-like-body 39 and the rearwardly extending arm 40 also of dishedcross-section. This fixture, .which .is preferably of sheetmetal, is fastened to the downturned end 38 of the clip 38, as by means of the screw 41 and nut 42 which also serve both as a binding post for the positive wire 43 yand as securing means for the conductor 44, it being observed that the latter as well as the screw 41 and nut 42 are insulated from the bracket, and that'the conductor 44 is insulated vfrom the' fixture 39-40, by the insulating block 45 and washer 46. At its extreme lower end 47 the element 39 assumes a tubular form and carries an insulator block 48 that in turn re- .ceives a metallic lamp socket 49 having an arm 50 and binding screw 51 or other suitable means for attaching the negative conductor 52. When the corresponding or tail light bulb 53 is in again'st the resilient loop 54 of the conductor 44.

In like manner, when the signal light bulb 56 is inserted in the socket 35, it is in resilient engagement with Athe upper end of the conductor 44, and the socket35 and element 40 are charged (through the filament When the nut 27 is loosened andthe bolt withdrawn, the pend-- pivot and then down along theadplace, its upper-end bears of the lamp 56) whenever volt'ageis.- impressed on, the wire 43. The part 4Q forms ,a rigid. support for al pair of thin Contact strips 60-61 secured thereto as by the rivets 62 and having their upper ends spaced so e- What from the contact bar `28 `when t e pendulum is in neutral position so that a circuit may be completed through one or the other depending on the direction of swing. The wires 31-43 lead yto a source of current such as the battery'v 65, the circuit being controlled by a switch 66 that may be mounted on the dash board; and the wire 52 may be` directly attached to the wire 31 at the point 68 or 'in indirect connection through the medium of a suitable switch and the conductor 52.

The'particular switch shown, Figs. 1 and 6 which is inexpensive and well adapted to the purpose,. includes the base 70 of insulating material riveted or otherwise fastened f to the body'concent'ricallyto the opening 32 and :hai/ing binding screws or posts 71-71 for thev wires 52-52, the corresponding rounded contact pieces 72f72- being best shown in Fig. 6. Alternating`-with the pieces 'T2-72 are a pair of diametrically arranged rounded lugs or projections 7 3--73 formed onthe base 70. The movable element of the switch consists in the shaft 75 which is rotatableby the insulating handle 7 6 and which carries the oppositely disposed resilient arms 77,-77 having backward extensions .78-78 forming depressions adapted' to engage over the rounded .contacts 4T2-72 or the lugs73-73, as the case may be. Various other types of switches may, of course, be used.

Operation :fThe device being mounted on the rear of the vehicle and both switches being closed, it is evident that a circuit is completed through the bulb 53 to give the usual tail light indication, and the rays may also pass y formed in the lower side of the cylinder 5 and screened bya glass or other transparent sheet 81 -held in place by lugs 82 struck from the body. Assuming that the lvehicle is running at a constant speed the pendulum hangs in neutral position, but in the event of the application `of the brakes or of the starting of the car the inertia of the pen' down through an opening 8OV portion of the lens which corresponds to the reflector 19 Amay be lettered as shown in y1t; and it may differ in color vfrom the part of the lens which corresponds to the bulb 53, for example, the latter may be green and the 'former red.

By turning the switch 70-78 to break the conductor :39e-52', the tail light bulb 53 may be shut off and the bulb 56 alone used, as may bel desirable when driving on dark days; and in any event the device utilizes the wiring of the ordinary tail light circuit.

1 rl`he lamp fixtures and associated parts-are lifted out with the reflector 19 and may be readily replaced. lf desired, the wire 52 may be passed through a hole in the base and looped at 52 outside thev lamp, so that it may easily be drawn taut between the pendulum arms.

`We are aware that the details of the lamp, and the relative arrangement of parts are subject to considei'able change. The pai'- ticular construction shown has the decided' advantage, however, of utilizing the chamber 5 as part of the pendulum space.

Tile do not wish to be limited except as indicated by the subjoined claims.

life claim l. il combined signal and tail lamp for vehicles, said lamp including a body, a tail light bulb in said body, a signal bulb also in said body and disposed at a higher leveltlian the tail light bulb, a reflector for the signal bulb and spaced considerably 'from the lower side of the body, and a pendulum for controlling the application of current to 'the signal bulb, said pendulum being swingable into the space below the reflector.

2. ln a pendulum controlled signal lamp, a plurality ofbulbs, a pendulum including a pair of spaced arms, means whereby the pendulum, on swinging, completes a circuit lthrough one of the bulbs, one of the bulbs being positioned between said arms and in the space described thereby in their swinging movement.

3. fl. combined signal and tail lamp including a body, a reflector detachably mounted therein, a bulb for the reflector, a second bulb carried by the reflector externally thereto, circuits for the bulbs, a divided pendulum for controlling one of the circuits, l. the circuit for the second bulb including a conductor passing through between the divisions of the pendulum.

4. A combined signal and tail lamp including a body. a reflector mounted in said body and having a substantially horizontal axis, a bulb socket for the reflector, a bracket fixed to the reflector below said socket, a fixture carried on the bulb' socket and said bracket, a second bulb supported on the lower end portion of the fixture, a threaded member for attaching the fixture to the bracket, a circuit for one of the bulbs, said threaded member serving as a binding post for a part of said circuit.

5. 'signal lainp ,for vehicles, said lamp comprising a body` a bulb, means for intermittently supplying current to thc bulb as vthe speed of the vehicle changes, said means including a fixedresilient contact, a pendulum having two arms, anda second contact carried by the pendulum and insulated therefrom, said l second contact extending across between the arms 'and being arranged to engage the first named contact. Y

6. A lamp comprising a body having a lens opening reseml lingtlie figiire E, a rib alongl the bottom of the 8, a lens for said opening resting. in the body behindthe rib and along the haunches of the other lobe of the Sfand a latch for retaining the lens in the opening.

'i'. lin a pendulum controlled signal lamp, a plurality of bulbs, one at a higher level than the other, a pendulum, means whereby the pendulum in swinging completes a ciicuit through one of the bulbs` the' lower bulb being positioned just above the space described by the bulb of the pendulum when swinging.

8. A signallainp for vehicles including a` body, a signal bulb in the upper portion of said. body, a 'reflector for said bulb and spaced considerably from the lower side of. the body, and a pendulum for controlling the application of current to said bulb, said pendulum being swingable into the space below the reflector.

GEORGE JACOBS. FREDERICK C. RUPPEL. 

